Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Vanilla Glaze (Printable)

Soft buttery cookies spiraled with cinnamon sugar and vanilla glaze

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Filling

08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
09 - 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
10 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

→ Glaze

11 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar
12 - 1-2 tablespoons milk
13 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

# How-To Steps:

01 - Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside for later use.
02 - Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix until thoroughly combined and smooth.
04 - Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing.
05 - Divide the dough in half. Roll each portion between two sheets of parchment paper into a rectangle approximately 1/4 inch thick.
06 - Brush each rectangle with melted butter, then sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and cinnamon mixture.
07 - Starting from the long side, tightly roll each rectangle into a log. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
08 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
09 - Slice the chilled dough logs into 1/2-inch rounds and place on prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart. Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges are golden.
10 - Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
11 - Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies and allow glaze to set before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cookie edges stay crisp while the centers stay pillowy soft thanks to that perfect swirl of cinnamon sugar melting through the dough
  • These cookies smell absolutely incredible while baking and fill your whole home with the kind of warmth that makes people gravitate toward the kitchen
  • The vanilla glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the cozy cinnamon flavor
02 -
  • Chilling the dough logs is nonnegotiable because warm dough will spread too much and lose that beautiful spiral pattern
  • Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between slices to maintain the circular shape without squishing the dough
  • The glaze should be thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to drizzle so add milk gradually
03 -
  • Use a bench scraper to help lift and roll the dough log smoothly without damaging the spiral
  • Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots for even golden edges

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